Cell Applications 211-500

[Louann Mauffray]

PHYS1 The Science of Physics (3) (GN)(BA) This course meets the Bachelor of Arts degree requirements. Introduction to the basic concepts of physics at a conceptual level for students in non-technical majors. This course provides a broad survey of the history, concepts, and applications of physics including topics such as classical mechanics in one- and two-dimensions, Newton's laws of motion, work and energy, momentum, rotational motion, vibration, sound, waves, heat and the laws of thermodynamics, electricity and magnetism( including simple electrical circuits), and topics in 20th century physics, including relativity and quantum mechanics. Course objectives include the development of an understanding of the scientific method, and its application to physics problems of historical interest, and modern physics applications; providing an appreciation of the historical role played by physics in the development of modern science, its role in important cultural and societal issues, and in understanding the basic laws of nature, as applied to everyday experience, natural phenomena, or applications technologies (old and new); the development of scientific literacy, to help motivate the many connections of physics to other fundamental scientific fields and applications disciplines; providing experience in problem solving and the conceptual understanding of physics, and emphasizing the recurring role of a few important concepts, cutting across many scientific disciplines, such as the fundamental laws of classical mechanics, the basic laws of thermodynamics (including conservation of energy), and applications of modern quantum theory. PHYS 001 The Science of Physics (3) (GN)(BA) This course meets the Bachelor of Arts degree requirements. Introduction to the basic concepts of physics at a conceptual level for students in non-technical majors. Provides a broad survey of the history, concepts, and applications of physics including topics such as classical mechanics in one- and two-dimensions, Newton's laws of motion, work and energy, momentum, rotational motion, vibration, sound, and waves, heat and the laws of thermodynamics, electricity and magnetism, including simple electrical circuits, and topics in 20th century physics, including relativity and quantum mechanics. Course objectives include the development of an understanding of the scientific method, its application to physics problems of historical interest, as well as to modern applications; providing an appreciation of the historical role played by physics in the development of modern science, its role in important cultural and societal issues, and in understanding the basic laws of nature, as applied to everyday experience, natural phenomena, or applications technologies (old and new); the development of scientific literacy, to help motivate the many connections of physics to other fundamental scientific fields and applications disciplines; providing experience in problem solving and the conceptual understanding of physics, and emphasizing the recurring role of a few important concepts, cutting across many scientific disciplines, such as the fundamental laws of classical mechanics, the basic laws of thermodynamics (including conservation of energy), as well as applications of modern quantum theory.

Select topics in modern physics with emphasis on understanding science related articles in the news (For students in non-mathematical fields.) PHYS 10 Physics Behind the Headlines (3) (GN) Introduction for non-science majors to select topics in the modern physics of quantum mechanics and relativity with the goal of understanding recent technological advances, scientific breakthroughs and social events related to science as they appear in the news. These range from the discovery of the Higgs boson and dark energy to developments in lasers or superconductors. Social events in the news where science played a large role such as the Roswell "UFO" event in 1947 or the Fukushima nuclear crisis in 2011 will also be discussed. Course objectives include the understanding of the scientific method and scientific reporting; learning the conceptual aspects of the structure of matter from atoms to quarks, waves, energy and light; quantum mechanics and its applications to high tech such as computers and lasers; relativity E=mc2, nuclear forces, gravity and the Big-Bang theory. Particular emphasis will be put on learning the scientific standards for a hypothesis to be truly established as a working theory and how the simple laws of physics apply broadly to many different systems. This class will emphasize conceptual aspects and there is no mathematics prerequisite.

Waves, sound, and light concepts highlighted by evidence-based explanations and scientific discourse in preparation for K-6 science teaching. This course has two main focus areas: physics content typically addressed in elementary science curriculum and effective pedagogy for supporting children's meaningful science learning. An introduction to waves is used to construct an initial model, which is applied to sound phenomena and elaborated. The more robust model is then applied to understanding light phenomena and again elaborated. As the model develops across units of instruction, students are engaged in constructing explanations from evidence, model-based reasoning, and scientific discourse. Instructional approaches that are grounded in research on children's learning are used to engage education majors in their own learning, while teaching applications provide opportunities for them to unpack their experiences and apply them to school science teaching.

Elementary treatment of topics in mechanics, heat, wave motion, and sound leading toward an understanding of technical applications. PHYS 150 Technical Physics I (3) (GN) (BA) This course meets the Bachelor of Arts degree requirements. Technical Physics provides an algebra-based introduction to mechanics, heat, wave motion, and sound exemplifying scientific method and leading toward an understanding of technical applications. PHYS 150 is the first course in a two-course sequence with PHYS 151 surveying all of physics. It includes topics such as measurement, dimensional analysis, systems of units, describing motion in one dimension, scalars and vectors, describing motion in two and three dimensions, projectile motion, circular motion, particle dynamics via Newton's Laws of Motion, forces, work and energy, momentum, systems of particles, collisions, rotational motion of rigid bodies, torque, moment of inertia, static equilibrium, mechanical advantage, mechanical properties of materials, fluids, vibrations, wave motion, sound, temperature, heat, thermodynamics, and heat transfer. Students attend two lecture/recitation classes and one two-hour laboratory/activity period per week. Classes emphasize conceptualizing the basic ideas, terminology, and principles of the physical phenomena of nature; their quantitative expression through algebra and trigonometry; their relation to applications in science and technology; and their use in quantitative problem solving. Both computer-based and traditional lab exercises and activities illustrate class material and scientific method while giving students experience with a variety of measuring tools and the general principles of measurement, including the analysis of error. Students work collaboratively in small groups to plan their measurements, collect and analyze data, make judgments based on their results, and communicate their efforts and conclusions in a written lab/activity report. This course requires some algebra as a prerequisite. It is a prerequisite for PHYS 151 and is a required course for many engineering technology programs. It is offered at least once per academic year at all Penn State locations with engineering technology programs. Course evaluation is based on a combination of assessment including homework assignments and/or quizzes, written lab/activity reports, and exams.

PHYS 151 Technical Physics II (3) (GN) provides an algebra-based introduction to electricity, light, and modern physics exemplifying scientific method and leading toward an understanding of technical applications. It is the second course in a two-course sequence with PHYS 150 surveying all of physics. It includes topics such as electric charge, electric force, electric field, electric potential difference, capacitance, cathode-ray tube, electric current, Ohm's Law, batteries, direct current circuits, resistors, ammeters, voltmeters, magnetic force, magnetic field, electromagnetic induction, motors, generators, transformers, inductors, alternating current circuits, electromagnetic waves, light, reflection, refraction, interference, diffraction, atomic physics, atoms in combination, and the nucleus.Students attend two lecture/recitation classes and one two-hour laboratory/activity period per week. Classes emphasize conceptualizing the basic ideas, terminology, and principles of the physical phenomena of nature; their quantitative expression through algebra and trigonometry; their relation to applications in science and technology; and their use in quantitative problem solving. Both computer-based and traditional lab exercises and activities illustrate class material and scientific method while giving students experience with a variety of measuring tools and the general principles of measurement, including the analysis of error. Students work collaboratively in small groups to plan their measurements, collect and analyze data (often using modern computer hardware and software), make judgments based on their results, and communicate their efforts and conclusions in a written lab/activity report.The prerequisite for this course is PHYS 150. It is a required course for many engineering technology programs. It is offered at least once per academic year at all Penn State locations with engineering technology programs.Course evaluation is based on a combination of regular homework assignments and/or quizzes, written lab/activity reports, two or three exams, and a final exam.

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